The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-08
SIMMONS WINS THE PRIZE
TWO BALLOTS ALL THAT WERE
NEEDED TO DECIDE 1T.

The Maconite Led from the Start
George w. Gustin Will Probably
Step Into the Judgeship Vacated by
Mr.. Simmons - The Legislatures
Routine Work.
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. THE Senate and
House met in joint session to-day at l2
O'Clock, under resolution for the election
of an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court to fill the unexpired term of Judge
Hall
Judge Simmons was nominated by Mr..
Terrell, of Meriwether. The nomination
was seconded by Mr.. FELTON,, OF Bib;
Smith, of Glynn, and Senators Powell and
Roberts.
Judge Clarke was nominated by Mr.. Arm
helm. The nomination was seconded by
Messrs Falk, Brewster, Hand Feather
stone, Reid, Russell, Parke and Senator
jackson.
Judge Hook was named by Mr.. McCord
and seconded by MesSrs Gamble, Shew
make, johnson, of Scriven, Bray and Sefla-
tor Pringle. No speeches were made under
the rule. The first ballot resulted:
Simmons ...,........... .............-....... lOl
Clark Observation-Disclosures. ..,........ ,.... II
Hook ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 81
One hundred and three votes were re-
quifed to elect, and there was no election.
The second ballot stood:
Simmons ............ OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. lO9
Clark Observation-Disclosures. ................. 40
Hook Observation-Disclosures. ......--...,..... %
President Davidson then declared Judge
Simmons elected
There was great interest manifested.
The floor and galleries were crowded. There
seemed to be no bitterness of feeling in
volvel. and the result is accepted quietly,
if not cheerfully by all.
OF the Chatham delegation MeSsrs. Cor
don and Reilly voted for Judge Clark and
Mr.. Russell for Judge Simmons on both
ballots
Judge Simmons viii qualify tomorrow,
creating vacancy on the Macon judicial
circuit
The Macon bar was well represented here
to-day, and this vacancy was considered,
and SO far as can be determined by them
settled, in favor of George W. Gustin, if he
viii be candidate. He has informed the
News correspondent that he viii be, and it
is accepted here that he will be elected. The
elt ction will be held probably early next
week. IL is announced tonight that Judge
Giles, of Perry, will also be candidate.
A SKETCH OF THE NEW JUDGE.
Judge Thomas j. Simmons is native of
Crawford county, Ga, and was educated at
the LaCirange institute He began reading
law i'll 1853, with Judge Hall, OF Knoxville,
Ga, AMI was admitted to the bar in 1860
He entered the war as Lieutenant of the
Crawford Grays, and upon the formation of
the Forty-tifth Georgia Regiment he was
made Lieutenant Colonel Of it, and finally
reached the position of Colonel. He was a
brave and an accomplished soldier and his
wounds testify that he was generally to be
found where the battle was hottest. In
1865 he was elected member of the State
Senate, and served two years. In 1861 he
was elected Solicitor General of the Macon
circuit. In 1871 he was again elected a
member of the State Senate and served six
years, four of which he was President of
that body. He was member OF the Con-
stitutional Convention in 1877 aud was
Chairman of the Finance COMMITTEES In
1873 be was chosen Judge of tho Macon
circuit and he occupied that position when
chosen Supreme Judge. He has twice
been a candidate for the nomination of Gov
ernOr.